E38 BMW 7 series - the car of segment F which assumes exclusive comfort, excellent running characteristics and outstanding quality of manufacturing. The owner of E38 car can feel in the seventh sky. If realises that cheap "bumer" the seventh series both in purchase, and in service, will not be.

The external review E38

7th series BMW with an index of body E38 debuted in May, 1994. The sedan was a unique body. But with two variants of a wheelbase: 2930 and 3070 mm (total length accordingly 4985 and 5125 mm). The extended versions could be ordered with any engine, except 2,5-litre and 3,0-litre diesel engines. All "long" have letter L (for example, 730iL) in a model index.
Unique E38 restyling has taken place in September, 1998. Body E38 is outwardly difficult for distinguishing 1999 modelling years from the predecessor: new headlights, side panels, tail lights, narrower indexes of turning movements, a boot lid with the chromeplated strip. But if changes in an ex-terrier it is possible to consider cosmetic, inside the list of the changed knots the impressive. Many spare parts on engines, suspenders, interior at updated "E38" do not approach to the old.
Firmness to corrosion with reference to BMW E38 is not subject to discussion. "Seven" like as Caesar's wife - above suspicions.

7th E38 The internal review

Speaking about interior BMW E38, it is difficult to avoid comparison from Mercedes-Benz W140. And so, a stock of space for rear passengers in "seven" much more, than in "hundred fortieth", despite the big outline dimensions W140. And here the luggage compartment at BMW is not too great for the car of class F: only 500 litres.
The highest comfort and the extensive list of the equipment - probably, the main advantage new E38 and simultaneously the main lack second-hand. "An electronic" pedal of the gas, standardly established system of dynamic stabilisation (DSC), system of resetting of ruggedness of absorbers and body position (NR, EDC), the pressure monitoring system in tyres (RDC), "an intellectual" braking system (DBC), to 10 pillows of safety - and it is far not the full list of accessible devices. The full list of the E38 standard and additional equipment will occupy some quires.
Also there is nothing surprising that refusals of various systems of an electrical equipment happen often. For example, by E38 cars is more senior 5-7 years chronically contact piece between loops of information displays and a payment vanishes. As a result there are so-called "beaten pixels", the image on the display partially vanishes. And this failure - frequently "floating" also depends on moistness of air.
One more characteristic problem - the climate control. Sometimes he starts to lead the life, independently distributing air flows, refuses to regulate temperature etc. the Verdict - control package replacement.
The E38 automatic corrector of headlights (gauges of position of a body are established on right front and left rear wheels) can knock.
However, all listed breakages by weak places it is total all E38 are not, all depends on the concrete car. The fact that sooner or later malfunctions in the electrician all of you equally will face. And when will face - be not surprised, be not engaged in "self-treatment" and go to experts.

Under a cowl E38 BMW

Engines - the most reliable part BMW. Not very well, what at you under a cowl the motor. All of them at due leaving and observance of regulations THAT serve very much and very long. The best choice for body E38 on a parity of dynamics, profitability and a resource - motors V8.
Due leaving assumes observance simple, but obligatory rules. For example, it is impossible to refuel "the left" gasoline. Special nickel-silicon the covering of cylinders is afraid some gasoline with the high maintenance of sulphur. Aluminium-silicon the covering has appeared more proof. nickel-silicon blocks of six-cylinder motors M52 till 1998 became covered. On eight-cylinder engines of release till March, 1997 a covering either nickel-silicon, or aluminium-silicon, and later use nickel-silicon have refused. On V12 nickel-silicon it was not applied never.
The second service regulation concerns oils. Already the E38 version motor 728i needs 6,5 l of engine oil, for 735th - 7,5 l, and most "gluttonous" - V8 M60 till 1996 and V12 at which the volume crankcase oil makes 8,5-9 l. "eat" oils on high turns it is characteristic for all Bavarian motors. But for driving on low turns BMW nobody buys, therefore be accustomed to supervise regularly an oil level and to add on litre-one and a half on 1000 km. It is impossible to save! The durability of system of change of phases of gas distribution VANOS depends On quality of lubricant. First the system had only one phase shifter, on an inlet camshaft. Till September, 1998 with it were equipped only E38 6-cylinder M52. After restyling VANOS have established and on V8 M62, and M52 has received system Double VANOS steering both camshafts.

After 200-250 thousand in km engines with system VANOS can demand large investments. Work + (replacement of chains, sprockets etc.) will pull spare parts on one and a half thousand dollars. However, the accelerated deterioration of power units BMW in a greater degree is peculiar not 7th series, and 5th, which owners to a thicket "untwist" the motor to a red zone of a tachometre.

One more immutable service regulation E38 - watch cooling system. The attention is demanded here by everything, from an elektronno-steered thermostatically controlled chamber to a clutch of inclusion of the fan. Small, apparently, "glitch" can lead to an overheat of the motor and replacement of a head of the block! Times in two years do not forget to clean an air conditioner radiator - having clogged, it limits an air flow to the basic radiator of cooling of the engine. By cars before restyling of 1998 water pumps rather not for long serve.

Watch the ignition system! Ignition coils - as a rule very often fail, in it bad candles are guilty. The others "risk places" is a valve of ventilation of a crankcase of the engine which fails in some years of operation, lambda probes, air flow sensor etc.

Diesel versions to purchase are not recommended. Run at "used" a diesel engine big by definition, and together with complexity of a design and dearness of spare parts on E38 it means the big expenses for car maintenance in working order. But if very much it would be desirable diesel "seven" - know that 725tds are insufficiently powerful and are exposed to too big loadings on E38, often overheat and annoy failures of a fuel system. More modern turbodiesels of 2,9 and 3,9 l with system of direct injection of fuel Common Rail are deprived "illnesses" TNVD, but sometimes present "surprises" in the form of the refused spray jets, the gauge and a pressure regulator in a fuel stage, air flowmeter. Besides, turbo compressor on motors with Common Rail starts to eat"oil and fails earlier, than on old 525tds.

E38 mechanical gear boxes happen 5-step and 6-step (since 740i, but only in not long versions). All of them are very reliable. Basic "automatic machine" - five-step ZF 5HP30, but meet also 5HP18 and 5HP19. All boxes are afraid of sharp inclusion of a reverse gear after a mode "Drive". The inaccurate reference it is possible to break a retaining ring. Oil replacement in boxes is not provided by service regulations. But if will prepare to replace or add - remember that in a box special oil Esso LT71141 is applied.

Dearness of service E38

The two-lever front suspension at E38 is durable enough. Km everyone 30-40 thousand require replacement of a rack of the stabilizer. Through 40-60 thousand in km - sajlent-blocks. And here trunnion balls separately are not delivered, and they should be changed together with levers approximately through 100 thousand in km.

The four-lever rear suspension structurally reminds BMW 5 series (E39). The scheme difficult, details much also there are they expensively. In a rear suspension the basic weak places BMW E38 are concentrated. For example, about 40-60 thousand in km "floating" sajlent-blocks - hinges of the bottom (integrated) lever serve. Through 60-90 thousand in km it is necessary to change the top levers - "camber" and "boomerangs". After 200-250 thousand in km the turn of the bottom shaking levers can come. By the way, all levers, except for the last, are executed from aluminium alloys.

"Floating" sajlent-blocks, top camber levers and the bottom integrated levers - same, as on BMW 5 E39. "Boomerangs" and the big shaking levers at E38 the original. By the way, front suspension details, and also nave bearings in front and behind at E38 are incompatible with other models.
The minimum road gleam BMW E38 - 12 see By request, rear suspension E38 can be equipped by hydraulic system of change of a ground clearance or the electronic system EDC capable also to change ruggedness of absorbers. Both variants could be ordered even for base 728i/730i. For BMW 750i system EDC - standard equipment, as well as ventilated brake plates on all wheels. In general, both adjustable suspenders are very reliable, and the mechanical part (levers, sajlent-blocks) with them serves longer, than in a usual variant. But if absorbers fail - thousand dollars on repair can and not suffice.
Steering of all versions - with a worm reducer. The central track rod not folding, and completely not cheap works very reliably, but. For a high quality detail it is necessary to lay out dollars 140-190, and it serves on the average 40-60 thousand in km.

The result

Seven times think before purchase. Owner E38 BMW 7th to become hard. But it is much more difficult - than it to contain. Even the most well-groomed BMW E38 can manage to you a minimum in 1000 dollars a year, without considering some gasoline and the insurance. And if to stint preliminary treatment and it is unsuccessful to buy "the tired" car instead of paradise pleasure you receive short-term "space tourism" - from shop of spare parts to HUNDRED, at "not a nursery", we will tell directly, costs of many spare parts.